Slavery has occurred in many forms throughout the world, but the Atlantic slave trade-which forcibly brought more than 10 million Africans to the Americas-stands out for both its global scale and its lasting legacy. Anthony Hazard discusses the historical, economic and personal impact of this massive historical injustice.

After serving a 19-year sentence, Jean Valjean ends up on the Lord Bishop's doorstep, where he is offered a warm meal and bed to sleep in. Although he steals from the bishop, in the end, he earns redemption and a second chance thanks to the bishop's wise and caring ways.

In this poem, the speaker traces the senseless killings taking place abroad and at home, with a particular focus on the African-American community. The speaker also calls communities to action to "grow our hope and heal our hearts" in order to live together in peace.

This essay details James Reeb’s calling to become a minister and—eventually—to join the march in Selma. Although he was tragically murdered following the march, his death had a profound impact on the civil rights movement.

In his anonymous protest of a bill that would institute taxation for established religion, James Madison asserts the necessary separation of church and state and the right of every person to practice religion freely.

In his 1941 State of the Union Address, President Franklin D. Roosevelt outlined four fundamental human freedoms—the freedom of speech, of worship, from want, and from fear—for the United States and the rest of the world.

In this letter, President George Washington reflects on religious persecution and rejoices in prosperity and security for all religious groups. He emphasizes religious diversity as a “natural right,” not something to be merely tolerated.

The U.N. General Assembly adopted the original version of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948. The intention was to safeguard the international community against atrocities such as occurred during World War II.